God of War: Ragnarok (PlayStation 4)

God of War: Ragnarök is an action game and the sequel to God of War (2018). It is the ninth installment in the series and concludes the Norse era. The game is set in ancient Scandinavia and once again features series protagonist, Kratos, and his now teenage son, Atreus. It covers Ragnarök, the eschatological event which is central to Norse mythology and was foretold to happen in the previous game.

It retains the core gameplay structure of its predecessor, combining combo-based melee combat, puzzle-solving, and exploration within a semi-open world. The game is presented from an over-the-shoulder perspective and features a continuous-shot camera with no loading screens or scene cuts.

The player primarily controls Kratos, who utilizes three main weapons: the Leviathan Axe (infused with ice magic), the Blades of Chaos (fire-infused chain blades), and the newly introduced Draupnir Spear (a wind-based spear that can multiply and detonate). Each weapon includes light and heavy attacks, runic magical abilities, and can be used for both combat and environmental interaction. A new gameplay mechanic allows weapons to be used in traversal—such as using the blades as a grappling tool—and to perform plunging attacks from elevated positions. Shields are more customizable in Ragnarök, with different types offering offensive or defensive capabilities. The Spartan Rage ability has been expanded into three modes—Fury, Valor, and Wrath—offering distinct combat and healing effects.

Combat has been expanded to include a greater variety of enemy types compared to the previous game, such as einherjar, wyverns, phantoms, stalkers, nøkkens, and human raiders. The inclusion of additional mini-bosses and varied enemy behaviors was intended to enhance gameplay diversity.

While Kratos remains the primary playable character, Ragnarök introduces segments where the player assumes full control of Atreus. These story-driven sections feature Atreus’s unique combat style, including ranged attacks with a magical bow, melee combos, summoning spectral animals, and his own transformation-based rage abilities. Throughout the game, Kratos is accompanied by AI-controlled companions—primarily Atreus but also other characters in different story chapters. These companions assist in combat, exploration, and puzzles, and can be directed to perform specific actions.

The game incorporates RPG elements, including gear customization, crafting, and skill progression. Weapons and armor can be upgraded using collected resources. Ragnarök introduces armor transmog, allowing players to change the visual appearance of armor sets without affecting their stats. A variety of side quests and optional exploration content are available, expanding the game’s scope beyond the central narrative.